Safety Control No. 1

SC 01: The Steersperson

SAFETY CONTROL NO. 1

The Steersperson

1st Edition, dated 1st July 2012

SAFETY CONTROL (SC) NO. 1

SC 1.1Description of Steersperson

1.1.1According the IDBF Bye-Law 3.6.3, the Steersperson is the crew member whose specific task is to steer a dragon boat with the aid of a steering oar or paddle.

1.1.2The Steersperson is also internationally known as ‘The Helm’ or ‘The Sweep’. In Singapore, the most common term used is ‘The Coxswain’ or just ‘The Cox’ in short.

1.1.3Physical characteristic of a Steersperson:

a. can either be male or female

b. minimum 18 years old

c. must be able to swim reasonably well (without pause) up to a minimum

distance of 50m, with and without the wearing of a personal floatation

device (PFD)

d. possess reasonable level of fitness (able to perform SC.1.1.3.b above

without any physical or medical contra-indications)

SC1. 2General Requirement

To be practiced and observed at all times, for all aspect of the sport of dragon boating – from recreational to competitive paddling.

1.2.1All Steersperson MUST be SDBA-certified before they are allowed to steer for a

dragon boat crew.

1.2.2SC.1.2.1 above shall apply to all aspect of the sport of dragon boat – from basic

recreational paddling leading up to competitive paddling.

1.2.3If in doubt, Team Managers may contact SDBA to find out whether a particular person is an SDBA-certified Steersperson or not.

1.2.4The Steersperson must know all the weak or non-swimmers in the crew. The Steersperson must know where these weak / non-swimmers are seated at all times.

1.2.5The Steersperson is responsible to maintain the dragon boat’s stability and to prevent collision and capsizing by controlling the dragon boat steerage as well as the crew’s movements inside the dragon boat.

1.2.6In an emergency or dangerous situation that may lead to a collision, capsizing or swamping, the Steersperson must initiate emergency measures to stabilize the dragon boat by:-

a. Command “Hold Water Hard!”

All paddlers are required to plunge their paddle-blade vertically into the water and

hold the paddle as hard as they can. This will stop the forward momentum of the

dragon boat.

Photo 1:

Hold Water Hard !

b. Command “Brace! Brace ! Brace!”

All paddlers are required to sit-up straight, body jammed against the gunwale and

all paddles extended out, touching the surface of the water with the flat side of

the paddle blade.

Drawing 1:

Brace! Brace! Brace!

1.2.7If the danger persisted, The Steersperson MUST steer the dragon boat away from the dangerous area.

1.2.8If there is still no improvement to the dangerous situation (i.e. sudden onset of inclement weather, etc), The Steersperson MUST steer the dragon boat to return to the nearest shore immediately to seek shelter and wait out the danger or to seek help.

SC1.3Legislation

1.3.1SDBA-certified Steersperson will be issued the Basic Helm Course certificate (see Annex A for an example of this certificate)

1.3.2The award of the Basic Helm Course certificate certifies the particular person’s proficiency to steer the dragon boat in all aspect of the sport of dragon boat – from basic recreational paddling leading up to competitive paddling.

1.3.3The SDBA-certified Steersperson would have undergone the required safety training to steer the dragon boat and therefore has been trained on what to do in the advent of an emergency.

1.3.4Besides the SDBA-certified Steersperson, the following SDBA-certified personnel are also permitted to steer the dragon boat in all aspect of the sport of dragon boat – from basic recreational paddling leading up to competitive paddling:-

a. SDBA Recreational Dragon Boat Trainer

b. SDBA Level 1 Technical Coach

c. SDBA Level 2 Technical Coach

1.3.5Person(s) who have acquired the Steersperson certification from other countries, are required to submit their certification to SDBA for verification.

SC1.4The Steersperson’s Responsibilities

1.4.1 Crew and Equipment

i. The safety of the crew. Always know how many persons are inside the dragon boat.

ii. The safety of the boat.

iii. The safety of other users on the water.

iv. The condition of the boat and its equipment.

v. Ensuring crew is wearing personal floatation devices (PFD).

vi. All team members understands the buddy system and how to use it.

vii. Knowing any special conditions that may apply to an individual paddler

(i.e. weak or non swimmers, etc)

1.4.2 Boat Handling

i. Assessing the water and the weather conditions, being aware of any currents and wind, and pointing the boat into the wind when not moving.

ii. Knowing approved safety procedures and what to do in the event of capsize or emergency.

iii. The Steersperson must be aware of other vessels around his boat. He/She should also practice periodic looking behind the dragon boat to be aware of any other approaching vessels.

iv. We share the water with other vessels. Steerspersons should take into account that varying degrees of vessels cannot change course quickly. It is therefore incumbentupon the Steersperson to give the appropriate command to safely stop or navigate the dragon boat.

v. When encountering choppy water, the Steersperson should endeavour to face the boat into or away from the waves (bow-on or stern-on) and not with the side onto the waves. Employ the ‘Brace!” command to stabilize the dragon boat. The Steersperson should only move the dragon boat after stability has been restored and the water flat.

vi. During races, safety MUST always come first before results. Collisions must be avoided at all costs, even stopping the boat if necessary.

1.4.3Commands

i. That all crew members know the command calls and the expected response. Paddlers must be disciplined to listen and obey the steersperson’s commands.

ii. The Steersperson is the only person that can issue paddling commands that control the boat. The coach can give commands to the paddlers, but when it comes to controlling the boat, the steersperson is the one in the best position to make these calls.

iii. The Steersperson must issue commands in a loud and clear voice.

iv. Typical commands:

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